The sudden return of a long-lost parent is a soap staple for good reason. For the show's existing residents it can provide drama, heartbreak, the reveal of a long-buried secret or just good old plain awkwardness. For viewers it gives a past to long-running characters and the chance to see their favourite actors pushed outside their comfort zones.

Recently we've seen the arrival of tragic Paul Coker's mother Jenny on EastEnders, whose timing could not have been worse, while Hollyoaks fans have the return of Mike Barnes to contend with and Emmerdale lovers have Tracy Shankley dealing with her jailbird dad on the horizon.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

But which other soap parents are currently missing in action and well overdue a Long Lost Family visit from Davina?

1. Ted Page, Coronation Street

Last seen: 2010

Character actor Michael Byrne continues to work solidly, but surely now's the time for Gail's long-lost dad to make a Weatherfield visit? Ted could support his grieving grandson David and his troubled granddaughter Sarah. And has he even met Bethany?

Gail is crying out to see her father, and with the upcoming exit of husband number five, Ted could provide a stabilising influence. The character was very popular with fans, and there has to be storyline potential for an elderly gay man amongst the show's senior group.

If nothing else, the return of Audrey's long-lost babydaddy should give her ample opportunity to demonstrate The Audrey Roberts Noise.

2. Bill Webster, Coronation Street

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

[/youtube]

Last seen: 2011

Panto villains, ruthless business types and hard men may keep our soaps lively. But if they're to have any claim to realism, British soaps also need a particular character type among their cast. He's that down-to-earth, no-nonsense bloke of a certain age with a line in dry wit. Step forward, Bill Webster.

Played by Peter Armitage, Bill's had three stints on Corrie, stretching back to 1984, but he hasn't been seen onscreen since Christmas 2011. His son Kevin is slightly adrift now, and we'd like to see their supportive but sometimes fractious relationship revisited. If the rumours of Kevin's daughter Rosie returning to the cobbles prove to be true, then why not build up the Websters as a multigenerational unit at the same time?

And if Bill were to return from Germany and reunite with his ex, sandwich queen Auntie Pam, we'd be delighted. Not only do we also miss her character, but she'd be the reminder that Tyrone seemingly needs that his 'best mate' Kevin had a child with Tyrone's first wife Molly…

Producer Iain MacLeod has already confirmed that Chas and Cain's mum will return soon, after an absence of more than a decade. The potential for a messy fallout is huge. The ex-wife of their now-deceased father Shadrach, she has a problematic history with her two children as Cain is the result of an affair between Faith and her ex-brother-in-law, Zak. (Confused yet?)

We're promised that Faith will be a "gin-fuelled whirlwind" and a "big, chaotic mess" which sounds great to us and should guarantee that she gets barred from The Woolpack on a weekly basis. However, it hasn't been announced yet which actress will be now play Faith.

Any development that allows us to see more layers to both Cain and Chas is always welcome, and we're pleased that Steve Halliwell is guaranteed more screen time as Zak. We can only imagine what Lisa and Joanie will make of Faith's arrival, too. Better put the popcorn on…

4. Tanya Cross, EastEnders

Last seen: 2013

Surely it's only a matter of when actress Jo Joyner returns, not if? Goodness knows Tanya's needed by her family. Daughter Abi's recent antics involved faking a pregnancy to trap her gay boyfriend - we're sure Tanya would have had some strong words with her. (But we also know she would not have stood by while Ben humiliated Abi so grotesquely in The Vic.)

Tanya's other daughter Lauren is on a more even keel, but if she ever turns to the demon drink again, she'll need her muvva. Tanya's own mum, Cora, is currently off the show after her homelessness ordeal. But when she returns later this year, it would be great to see Tanya lend a hand.

But the main reason we'd love to see her return is for Round 243 of Walford's own answer to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor: Max & Tanya. He's currently AWOL, having left prison after a miscarriage of justice, but we know Max will be back to seek revenge and rebuild his life. And who better to do that with then his beloved 'Tarn.'

Diane O'Connor is now working in France, while actress Alex Fletcher is on maternity leave, but that faint ticking sound you can hear is an unexploded soap bomb that just has to be detonated when she returns. We've already seen Scott tearfully vent to his Auntie Diane that he felt betrayed by her as a child when she didn't stick around after his parents split. How much worse will he feel when he realises that she was the reason their marriage ended?

If Scott's mum - and Diane's sister - Lynette were to ever arrive in Hollyoaks village it would only be a matter of time before the cat is let out of the adulterous bag. There's the damning evidence of that silver necklace which Scott's dad gave his lover (and which we've seen is in Diane's possession). We do love Diane, but we also love it when she's cornered. How on earth would she talk her way out of this one?